was itself in part due to the large number of british @ - @ born citizens and first generation anglo @ - @ australians that made up the australian population at the time . indeed , by the end of the war almost 20 % of those who served in the australian forces had been born in britain . as the existing militia forces were unable to serve overseas under the provisions of the defence act 1903 , an all @ - @ volunteer expeditionary force known as the australian imperial force ( ai ##f ) was formed and recruitment began on 10 august 1914 . the government pledged 20 @ , @ 000 men , organised as one infantry division and one light horse brigade plus supporting
was itself in part due to the large number of british @ - @ born citizens and first generation anglo @ - @ australians that made up the australian population at the time. indeed, by the end of the war almost 20 % of those who served in the australian forces had been born in britain. as the existing militia forces were unable to serve overseas under the provisions of the defence act 1903, an all @ - @ volunteer expeditionary force known as the australian imperial force ( aif ) was formed and recruitment began on 10 august 1914. the government pledged 20 @, @ 000 men, organised as one infantry division and one light horse brigade plus supporting